Maybe

Maybe Sailing

Maybe is very much a sail training vessel and her style of sailing is very 'hand's on' but with a lot of patient instruction from the professional crew. Maybe's skipper Grace and mates are not afraid to shape a great team from all age ranges and encourage all abilities to do well in every aspect of ship board life, from cooking to standing watch. British owned Maybe is a regular contender in the International Tall Ships Races and regattas and they always seem to be having a lot of fun.

Full Participation and mixed age crews

Gaff ketch 'Maybe' works predominantly around the UK on youth development voyages, but she also offers adult adventure trips too. Her style of sailing is very 'hands on' but with a lot of patient instruction as the professional crew are used to working with crew from 12 to 80. Her winter base is the Algarve in Portugal so she has some ocean style and delivery trips for experienced sailors at the start and finish of the season too.

Encouraging Female Career Sailors

Grace Metcalfe is Maybe's female skipper. The Operations Manager ashore is also female - the multi tasking Frankie Hartwell. Emma Clifton is one of the first mates. Skipper Grace is a good role model for how you can go from novice sailor to hooked on big boat sailing and then became volunteer crew and then work your way up the heirachy on a vessels volunteer training scheme. She didn't do in in the Med or the Caribbean.

"Her career training ground was the same as mine - taking kids from Liverpool and the North East of England sailing on a 70ft Ocean Youth Trust Ketch in the lumpy Irish Sea and North Sea." Debbie Purser - Classic Sailing founder

Grace became a first mate on 70ft ketch James Cook at 21 and was skipper of a 40 ton steel yacht by 23. She was skipper for 7 years but now is in command of Maybe a 72ft wooden beauty that is gaff rigged like the first boat she fell in love with. If that doesn't inspire you to go sailing on Maybe then send your son or daughter.

Maybe Skipper Grace Metcalfe

Tall Ships Races

International Tall Ships races have been happening for many summers. They defy cynicism, bring together young crews from nations that are hardly on speaking terms in the adult world, and give those participating the best thrill you can have in your school holidays. Generally sail handling on a tall ship or sail training yacht is done slowly with lots of instruction and plenty of sea room from other vessels. In a tall ships race it is much more close quarters so things have to happen a lot faster and the vessels are sailed with dash rather than conservatism. You might get the odd bruise or blister but the sense of teamwork and pride in your ship seems to just happen during the thrill of the chase. The parties in port are your well earned reward.

Maybe and Tecla in Tall Ship Parade of Sail

A Chance to Become Volunteer Crew

Maybe has a small professional crew and deliberately relies on volunteers as watch leaders or delivery crew. A Maybe voyage would be a good choice if you are thinking about a sailing career and you are really keen to progress your sailing skills. The skipper will be looking to recommend helpful hard working crew as possible volunteers who have good people skills and a sense of humour. There is usually a contribution towards meals if you sail as volunteer or delivery crew. You might even progress to a paid postion (Skipper, !st Mate, Engineer and Cook)

Her sister ship, belonging to the same NE sail training charity, is the three masted schooner Blue Clipper. This bigger vessel has month long crew placements to some really exciting destinations like the Arctic and the Caribbean so it is a great organisation to sail with to get your foot on the sailing career ladder.

Making friends on Maybe's bigger sister ship Blue Clipper

Sailing Style

Life On Board

Life on board really is about getting stuck in and involved in all aspects of sailing the ship. Beginners are welcome and the experienced crew will help to explain the different roles onboard which will quickly see you turn into a knowledgable traditional ship sailor! Please also note there is a non-smoking policy on board Maybe.

Wild swimming in Scotland on Maybe

Below Decks

Tall Ship Maybe has the capacity for up to 18 crew members on each sailing voyage, which includes 2-4 permanent crew and 14 places for trainee crew members or 12 passengers.

She has extensive comfortable accommodation below deck including five newly refurbished cabin, a large saloon/galley area fitted with all modern conveniences including TV, DVD Player, fully fitted kitchen with microwave, fridge, freezer, cooker, induction hob and slow cooker. For the comfort of the crew, central heating has been installed to make even winter sailing a pleasure.

Maybe Accommodation Layout

Gaff Ketch Maybe - Ship Specification

Year built

1929

Sailing Rig

gaff ketch

length (overall ?)

72ft

24m

length on deck

beam

19ft 6''

6m

draft

10ft 6''

3.2m

guest crew

14

professional crew

4

engine

yes

Maybe being launched after winter 2017-18 refit

Skipper Grace Metcalfe

Grace Metcalfe is Maybe's female skipper. Grace is a good role model for how you can go from novice sailor to hooked on big boat sailing and then became volunteer crew and then work your way up the heirachy on a vessels volunteer training scheme. She didn't do in in the Med or the Caribbean.

"Her career training ground was the same as mine - taking kids from Liverpool and the North East of England sailing on a 70ft Ocean Youth Trust Ketch in the lumpy Irish Sea and North Sea." Debbie Purser - Classic Sailing founder

Grace became a first mate on 70ft ketch James Cook at 21 and was skipper of a 40 ton steel yacht by 23. She was skipper for 7 years but now is in command of Maybe a 72ft wooden beauty that is gaff rigged like the first boat she fell in love with. If that doesn't inspire you to go sailing on Maybe then send your son or daughter.